As the sun sets during Ramadan, a quiet anticipation fills the air. Families and friends gather around tables, ready to break their fast with dates, water, and heartfelt gratitude. And for many, there’s one more ritual that completes the moment — a perfectly brewed cup of coffee.
Across the world, coffee has become an integral part of iftar culture. Whether it’s a hot Arabic qahwa, a creamy date latte, or a refreshing cold brew, coffee brings comfort and connection to Ramadan evenings. Recognizing this, local coffee shops are celebrating the holy month with unique iftar specials that blend tradition, creativity, and community.
Here’s a look at some of the best Ramadan coffee specials that are bringing faith and flavor together this season.
The Role of Coffee in Ramadan Evenings:
Coffee has deep roots in Islamic history. The first coffee drinkers were Sufi mystics in Yemen who used it to stay awake during late-night prayers. From there, coffee spread throughout the Muslim world, becoming a symbol of hospitality, mindfulness, and reflection — values that align beautifully with Ramadan.
After a day of fasting, coffee offers a sense of renewal and warmth. It’s often enjoyed after iftar, when families and friends linger in conversation, or before taraweeh prayers, offering a gentle boost of energy.
Today, Muslim-owned cafés and even mainstream coffee shops are embracing this heritage, offering limited-edition Ramadan menus that honor faith, flavor, and community connection.
“Coffee brings people together,” says Ibrahim Alhasbani, founder of Qahwa House in Michigan. “During Ramadan, it’s more than a drink — it’s a shared moment of gratitude.”
1. Date Lattes and Natural Sweetness:
No ingredient says Ramadan quite like the date. It’s the food with which millions of Muslims around the world break their fast — and it’s finding a new home in coffee cups everywhere.
Local coffee shops are embracing dates as a natural, nutritious sweetener, adding depth and richness to their Ramadan brews.
✦ Must-Try Creations:
Date Caramel Latte – Espresso mixed with house-made date syrup, topped with steamed milk and crushed pistachios.
Kopi Kurma (Date Coffee) – A Southeast Asian favorite that combines blended dates, honey, and robust coffee.
Iced Date Cold Brew – Smooth, lightly sweet, and perfect for a post-iftar refreshment.
These drinks aren’t just flavorful — they reflect the sunnah tradition of breaking one’s fast with dates, creating a meaningful connection between faith and flavor.
Where to find them: Qahwa House (USA), Modest Mug Café (Malaysia), and Bean & Barakah (UK) all feature signature date-based drinks on their Ramadan menus.
2. Saffron, Cardamom, and Rose – Flavors of Heritage:
Ramadan is a time when old traditions meet new experiences. Across the Muslim world, warm spices and floral notes define iftar desserts and drinks — and now, those same flavors are finding their way into specialty coffee menus.
✦ Popular Ramadan-Inspired Flavors:
Saffron Rose Cappuccino: A silky fusion of saffron-infused milk and rose water, topped with dried petals.
Cardamom Mocha: A fragrant twist on the classic mocha, offering warmth and spice in every sip.
Pistachio Latte: A creamy, nutty favorite inspired by traditional Middle Eastern sweets like baklava.
These aromatic drinks feel like a celebration in a cup. They capture the comforting essence of Ramadan while elevating everyday coffee into something truly special.
“We wanted our drinks to reflect the richness of our culture,” says Layla Khan of Bean & Barakah. “Each flavor tells a story — of heritage, hospitality, and heart.”
3. Traditional Brews: Qahwa, Turkish Coffee, and Qishr:
Many local cafés are returning to their roots this Ramadan by offering authentic coffee traditions from the Islamic world — honoring the drink’s spiritual and historical origins.
✦ Time-Honored Favorites:
Arabic Qahwa: Lightly roasted coffee brewed with cardamom and saffron, traditionally served with dates.
Turkish Coffee: Thick, rich, and unfiltered — perfect for post-iftar relaxation.
Yemeni Qishr: A spiced infusion made from coffee husks, ginger, and cinnamon — gentle on the stomach after fasting.
These classic drinks are especially popular at cafés in Dearborn, Dubai, and Istanbul, where Ramadan coffee culture feels almost sacred. They remind customers that every sip is part of a centuries-old story that began in the heart of the Muslim world.
4. Suhoor and Iftar Coffee Sets:
Ramadan brings a unique rhythm to daily life — and coffee shops are adjusting to match it. Many now offer special iftar and suhoor sets, perfect for customers who want something light, energizing, and beautifully presented.
✦ Examples of Iftar Specials:
The “Sundown Set” – A date latte paired with mini baklava or pistachio cheesecake.
The “Suhoor Energizer” – Cold brew served with a protein ball or almond-stuffed date.
Community Iftar Combo – Two coffee drinks and dessert for sharing after prayers.
In places like Kuala Lumpur, London, and Toronto, coffee shops are extending their hours until midnight or later, creating cozy havens for people to unwind after taraweeh prayers.
Modest Mug Café in Malaysia, for example, hosts a nightly “Midnight Brews” session — offering light meals, energizing coffees, and suhoor-friendly drinks to early risers.
5. Community-Focused Coffee: Giving Back During Ramadan:
The essence of Ramadan is generosity, and local coffee shops are finding creative ways to give back to their communities.
✦ Common Initiatives Include:
Pay-It-Forward Cups: Customers can pre-purchase coffee for someone in need.
Charity Partnerships: A percentage of every Ramadan special goes to local food banks or international relief efforts.
Open Iftars: Some cafés host free community iftars, inviting both Muslims and non-Muslims to share in the spirit of Ramadan.
Barakah Beans Roastery in South Africa donates a portion of its Ramadan profits to youth barista training programs, combining charity with opportunity.
“Barakah means blessing,” says founder Rashid Ismail. “And what better time than Ramadan to spread those blessings — one cup at a time.”
These efforts remind customers that coffee, at its best, is about connection — not just caffeine.
6. A Warm, Welcoming Atmosphere:
Step into a café during Ramadan, and you’ll often find something magical in the air — soft lantern lighting, nasheed music, and an unmistakable sense of peace.
Many local cafés decorate their spaces with crescent moons, Arabic calligraphy, and golden hues, transforming them into cozy sanctuaries. Some even set up group tables for families breaking fast together, serving free dates and water before the meal.
In Dubai and Doha, some coffee shops stay open until 3 a.m., becoming community hubs for late-night conversations, laughter, and reflection.
It’s a reminder that Ramadan isn’t just about abstaining — it’s about coming together in gratitude, and what better way to do that than over a shared cup of coffee?
7. Global Brands Join the Celebration:
The influence of Ramadan coffee culture is spreading beyond Muslim-owned cafés. Even mainstream coffee chains are beginning to embrace the month with exclusive Ramadan offerings.
Starbucks in Malaysia and Indonesia has released Date Frappuccinos and Saffron Cream Cold Brews.
Costa Coffee in the UAE serves Cardamom Flat Whites and Rose Lattes.
Tim Hortons in Canada and the Middle East offers Ramadan meal combos and iftar discounts.
These efforts reflect a growing global recognition of Ramadan as a time of unity, culture, and compassion — showing how inclusivity can enrich even the most familiar spaces.
Final Thoughts: Coffee with Compassion:
Ramadan is more than a month — it’s a mindset. It’s about gratitude, patience, and the joy of sharing what we love with others. Coffee, in its humble way, embodies all of these values.
From date-sweetened lattes to midnight suhoor brews, local coffee shops are redefining what hospitality means — turning ordinary moments into meaningful experiences.
So this Ramadan, when you sit down after iftar with a steaming cup in hand, take a moment to reflect. That coffee isn’t just a drink; it’s a story — of culture, community, and care.
Because when brewed with sincerity and shared with others, even a simple cup of coffee becomes an act of faith.
